MusicRadar

The No.1 website for musicians
  • Guitars
  • Drums
  • Tech
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
Magazines
  • Future Music
  • Total Guitar
  • Computer Music
  • Guitarist
  • Guitar Techniques
  • Rhythm
  • Acoustic Magazine
  • Bass Guitar Magazine
More
  • Gear reviews
  • Tuition
  • Best audio interfaces 2018
  • Best electric guitars 2018
  • Free samples
  • Learn Ableton Live
  • iOS music making apps
  • Tuition
  • Tech
  • How to make a 303-style acid bassline in Ableton Live

How to make a 303-style acid bassline in Ableton Live

By Computer Music 2009-09-03T15:36:00.245ZTech 

Shares
The synth

The synth

Step 1: One of the easiest ways to get a 303-style acid bassline in Ableton Live is to use Computer Music magazine’s very own CM-303 synth, which you’ll find on the cover DVD every month as part of the CM Studio (you could also try D16’s Phosycon or Togu Audio Line’s freeware TAL-BassLine). Drag your synth from the plug-in list onto one of Live’s MIDI tracks.

• For many more Ableton Live guides go to our massive learning hub: Learn Ableton Live and Ableton Push: music production tips and tutorials

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
Sequencing

Sequencing

Step 2: Roland TB-303 synths are triggered using an internal step sequencer, so to replicate this feel, you’re going to need to limit yourself to using straight 1/16th notes. Create a single-bar MIDI part in Live and create a simple pattern like the one we’ve used here.

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
Adding the glide

Adding the glide

Step 3: To get the characteristic 303 glide, lengthen one of the notes so that it overlaps with the successive note, as we have here. Note the portamento effect that is introduced when we do this. The amount of time between notes is controlled with CM-303’s Glide knob.

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
Brightening the sound

Brightening the sound

Step 4: Currently, the sound is quite dull. Turning up the Cut knob will make the riff sound brighter, but let’s use the Env knob instead. This controls the amplitude of the filter cutoff envelope. Turning it up to full makes the effect much more pronounced.

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
Decay

Decay

Step 5: The filter cutoff envelope is extremely simple, and features a single decay control that either tightens or loosens its effect. Sweep the Decay knob to get a feel for how it changes the sound. When you’re done, leave it on 36%, as we have here.

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
Resonance

Resonance

Step 6: To get that characteristic high-end acid squelch, simply turn up the Res (resonance) knob. This boosts the frequencies around the cutoff point, making the movement of the filter even more apparent. Set the resonance to 70% and sweep the cutoff up and down – now that’s acid!

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
Saturation

Saturation

Step 7: To make a rawer, dirtier riff, drag Live’s Saturator effect onto the MIDI track and turn up the Drive knob to 20dB. With the Cut set to full and the Res at zero, this will give you a satisfying, nasty, aggressive distorted, sawtooth sound. Once you’ve had enough, bypass the effect.

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
Square wave

Square wave

Step 8: To get a bouncy acid bass, turn the Res and Cut all the way down and change the Wave (shape) from sawtooth to square in the bottom left-hand corner of the interface. The square shape isn’t as cutting as the saw, but it has a fuller low-end, which is perfect for bouncy bass.

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
Tuning and doubling

Tuning and doubling

Step 9: Note that it’s possible to change both the coarse and fine tuning of the instrument using the Tune panel in the top left-hand corner of the interface. To get a fatter sound, you could layer up two CM-303s playing the same part, one set to sawtooth, the other to square. Then, set the fine tune and relative levels to get the exact sound you’re after.

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
Shares
Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects…
…with the latest issue of Computer Music magazine
More Info

The best of MusicRadar in your inbox

Don't miss the latest deals, news, reviews, features and tutorials

No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission.
  1. null
    1

    Tronical to sue Gibson for $50 million

  2. null
    2

    The BBC is letting you download more than 16,000 free sound effect samples from its archive

  3. null
    3

    Dylan Carlson’s top 5 tips for guitarists: “Even with repetition and a good riff, songs should have an arc”

  4. 64,197 free sample downloads
    4

    Free music samples: download loops, hits and multis

  5. null
    5

    Acid Pro 8 is finally here, but has the DAW world moved on?

  1. null
    1

    Tronical to sue Gibson for $50 million

  2. null
    2

    The BBC is letting you download more than 16,000 free sound effect samples from its archive

  3. null
    3

    Dylan Carlson’s top 5 tips for guitarists: “Even with repetition and a good riff, songs should have an arc”

  4. null
    4

    Weaponiser – the ultimate virtual instrument for weapon sound design

  5. null
    5

    Def Leppard's Rick Savage: “As a bassist, you should be the perfect bridge between the rhythm and the colour”

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.